How To Be the Hit of the Party: Ina Garten's Black Olive Tapenade *Recipe*

Since it's been about two years since I've done a recipe, I thought it was about time to do another one (gee Brooke, ya think?). It's not that I haven't been cooking in the past two years, we cook something new almost every weekend. Sadly, the things we make are usually inhaled consumed right away instead of photographed and detailed on here for you. So many delicious dishes lost to laziness and hunger posterity, but don't worry, NOT this one!

Anyway, without further ado, here is a recipe that WILL make you the most popular party guest at the next get-together you attend. I am so certain of this that I am willing to throw down and PROMISE this to you. If your goal is to show up at a party with the most fabulous dish that is the hit of the party, then this is the recipe for you. I have made it many times, and every time, it is the standout. People will literally line up to find out what's in it and ask if you can send them the recipe! Ok, maybe not literally, but you get the point. Even those insane anti-olive people will love it! And BONUS, not only is it mouth-wateringly delicious, it is probably the easiest thing you could possibly make.

I hereby present: Ina Garten's Black Olive Tapenade!

 

 

Salty, savory, complex perfection!

Vacay on Lake Seneca

It's been over a week since I blogged, sorry about that. I had every intention of dutifully uploading pictures while I was on vacation--I even took my laptop along with that goal in mind. However, as the week progressed and I began to relax, I took fewer glances at my phone and iPad and didn't even pick up the camera much. I just enjoyed my family, the lake, and the wine as much as I could before it was all over and the craziness resumed. I did manage to take a bunch of pictures, although they are not as organized as I would like and I surely missed out many things. Taking two babies on vacation is no mean fete--there isn't much time for picture-taking, that's for sure!

I was worried the drives up and back would be horrible, but they weren't too bad. The drive there was the hardest, we left in the afternoon hoping to hit the kids' naptimes, but it didn't work out that way. Brady was awake much of the trip and he woke his sister, so I spent 4.5 hours in the backseat trying to keep them both happy at the same time. The iPad helped with Brady, but Baby Brynne had just about enough after 3 hours so our ears were ringing when we arrived! We made it in one piece, however, and the fun began after that. We spent the next 5 days playing in the lake, taking boat rides (Brady LOVED those), wine and beer tasting (Mommy and Daddy loved THAT), and we even attended a garlic festival on the last day. All in all, it was a fun way to spend a week, and I hope we get the chance to do it again someday!

Photo dump in 3...2...1....

Daddy and Brynniedoll sittin' on the dock, day 1.

Trying to rip off his hat. The grabbing phase has begun!

"This is pretty fun!"

Pop joined the fun...

Her own seat on the dock.

Time to go swimmin!

The only evidence I was actually on this trip. Ha! That's what happens when you're the photog...

Miss B watches with Grandma from the dock.

So much fun!

Daddy was having a good time too...

Red wine purchased for dinner from the winery down the road, Ventosa Vineyards

Dinnertime on day 2. Sauteeing the onions for the Cabernet-Balsamic Burgers...

Cabernet-Balsamic Burger. It was YUM!

After dinner boat ride to put the kiddos to sleep. Miss B got a new life-jacket...

She actually loved wearing that thing!

Having fun on the boat...

Brady, a little pouty because he had to sit with Daddy while Brynne got to sit with Grandma.

About 5 minutes after this was taken, she was fast asleep!

Day 3, just Daddy and his girl on the dock...

Judging by the smile, she must've been having a good time!

Meanwhile, Big Bro played in the yard above.

Day 4. Just the boys out for some early morning fishing on Pop's boat. Brady loved it!

Meanwhile, Miss Brynne was trying to wake up from her morning nap.

Day 5. 2013 Garlic Festival at Fox Run Vineyards

So much garlic!

And SO many people!

Miss B had a great time hanging out with Dad. We never heard a peep out of her, she was happy as clam in that carrier.

I'm not a huge white wine fan, but when in the Finger Lakes, do as they do. The Riesling is a dryer white, and was very refreshing.

Bubba had fun too. No strollers for him, he wanted to walk by himself!

This "cheese board" was only $8 and was loaded with 3 cheeses, roasted garlic, nuts, grapes, bread, pepperoni, prosciutto and salami! It was delish!

 

Jason and I have been up to the Finger Lakes 3 times now, and we always have a great time! As I said above, neither of us are huge white wine fans, but their award-winning whites (Riesling and Gewurtzraminer are their specialties) are really crisp and refreshing on a summer day. The reds are coming along too, we tried some really good ones. I've been to wineries in some of the best wine-making regions in the world--France, Italy and Napa Valley, and the Finger Lakes are no less enjoyable than those experiences. The whites hold their own against some of the best I've ever tasted, and while the reds have a way to go, they are coming along quickly. I've noticed a marked improvement in them since the first time we visited in 2009. Plus, who wouldn't love a day filled with wine-tasting for under $20 a person? The fact that a lot of the wineries are adding craft breweries now too was an added bonus as well. We hope to go back up there again soon!

That was our vacation in a nutshell. Now it's back to the grind!

Suddenly, A Big Kid

Ahh here we are back at Monday again. Normally I would be pretty bummed out that the weekend is already over, but we leave for vacation in the Finger Lakes on Tuesday evening, so this week should actually be pretty fun. We spent this past weekend trying to get ready to pack nearly everything we own in order to survive 5 days away from home (nothing increases your vacation haul like bringing a baby along, and nothing increases that like bringing TWO babies along!). One of the things we did to prepare was to take Brady for a haircut (so less hair will be travelling with us, lol). We took him to a children's hairdresser hoping to make the experience more fun for him. He had a great time playing with another little boy and all the toys in the shop...UNTIL it was his turn. When he realized what was going down, big tears ensued! Luckily the hairdresser was a pro and the whole thing took less than 5 minutes. While he went in looking like Mommy's Baby Boy, he emerged looking like Mommy's Big Kid! It's amazing how something so trivial like a haircut can change a child's appearance. Two days later I am still looking at him in awe of how "old" he looks! Part of me can't wait for those sweet blonde curls to grow in so I have my baby boy back...

So excited to be somewhere new, he couldn't wait to get out of the car!

Playing with the toys in the shop, he was having a great time...

until he had to get into the chair.

Starting to get worried, what is that thing?

"See? It won't hurt!"

Goodbye, sweet little curls.  :(

All done! Note the watery eyes.

My Big Kid

While Brady was getting his haircut, Miss B was chilling with Mommy in the baby front pack. She loves that thing all of a sudden! Thank goodness too, because it gives us the chance to go out in public and pretty much only have to worry about Brady. After the haircut, we ventured to the West Shore Farmer's Market to buy a chicken. Jason got a rotisserie for his new grill and wanted to try it out. We bought a fresh chicken from the Amish poultry butchers and made Rotisserie Huli Huli Chicken for dinner on Saturday evening, complete with sides of grilled potatoes and veggie skewers. "Huli Huli" is an Hawaiian dish with a sweet honey/lime/soy-based sauce (a favorite combo of mine). I was skeptical about the rotisserie being worth it (I figured it was one of those things you buy and rarely use), but it paid off! The chicken was to die for!

Making the sauce took awhile as it had tons of ingredients, but it was worth it!

Huli Huli sauce--so versatile it can be used just like bbq sauce. No rotisserie needed (although that made it super delish!).

We marinated Japanese eggplant, summer squash, tomatoes, red onions and peppers in the Huli Huli sauce too.

Prepping the chicken to go on the rotisserie...

While the chicken cooked, Daddy and Brady played frisbee in the yard.

Running to get it...

Bringing it back. Frisbee is the perfect game for a toddler (and a Yorkie)! Lots of energy expended.

 And sometimes running in circles is fun, too!

Meanwhile, dinner looked like this.

Finito! Rotisserie Huli Huli Chicken

 

A successful outing with the babies and a good meal, it was "a nice little family day" as we (and Will Farrell) like to say. Hope your Saturday was just as pleasant!